Seeing Beyond the Numbers: The True Meaning of Value in Business Analysis

While going through the Business Analysis Core Concept Model (BACCM), two concepts stood out to me—tangible and intangible value. I realized these aren’t just theoretical terms; they show up in real ways across every project I’ve worked on. One example that comes to mind is a digital transformation project I led for a security company. We introduced a centralized digital dashboard that eliminated paper-based reporting. The results were clear: faster response times, reduced paperwork, and better tracking. That’s tangible value, easy to measure and report.

But the more powerful impact came from the team’s response. Security staff felt heard and empowered because their reports were acknowledged in real-time. Their engagement and morale improved, which led to better service delivery. This kind of value can’t be captured in a pie chart, but it’s often what drives lasting change. That’s the intangible value BACCM refers to—the kind that shapes people’s experiences and relationships with the solution.

I saw something similar in a process improvement project for a logistics and general cleaning company. We reduced scheduling conflicts by 40% by redesigning how tasks were assigned and tracked. That efficiency gain was great, but what stood out most was a comment from a team lead who said, “For the first time, our days feel organized.” That shift in how people feel about their work is the kind of impact you can’t always quantify—but it matters deeply.

Another example was during a systems development project for an energy utility company. We built a tool to improve grid performance forecasting and reporting. Tangibly, it helped reduce errors and enhanced decision-making speed. But intangibly, it gave leadership a renewed sense of control and confidence in their data—a subtle, but powerful outcome that influenced future planning decisions.

Reflecting on these projects through the BACCM lens helped me see value in a more holistic way. As business analysts, our job is to uncover, deliver, and communicate both what can be measured and what can be felt. Because in the end, true value lies not just in what changes—but in how those changes improve lives and decisions.